Sky Bet Weekend Preview - 12/12
Friday:
Burton Albion v Hartlepool United
Burton hope victory over bottom-of-the-table Hartlepool will take them back into the Sky Bet League 2 automatic promotion places if other results go their way. The Brewers go off as odds-on favourites at 8/13 for the win, Hartlepool can be backed at 9/2 and the draw is priced up at 14/5. Burton beat Luton 1-0 in their only home game under the management of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink so far and that ended a four-match run without a win at the Pirelli Stadium. Hartlepool have only won two of their last 16 games and need a change in fortunes to put pressure on the sides above them. Brewers forward Stuart Beavon is the top goalscorer favourite at 4/1 and Marlon Harewood is the shortest-priced Hartlepool contender at 8/1.
Stuart Beavon to score first at 4/1.Top Tip:
Cambridge United v Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury can move top of Sky Bet League 2 if they beat Cambridge United on Saturday and both Wycombe and Luton fail to win. The Shrews are 21/20 favourites to take three points on the road, Cambridge are 5/2 for the victory and the draw can be backed at 12/5. Three of Shrewsbury’s previous four games have seen only one goal scored so it could be a close contest at the R Costings Abbey Stadium. The first goalscorer betting is led by Shrewsbury striker James Collins at 9/2 with Kwesi Appiah the top Cambridge prospect at 6/1.
: Only one goal to be scored at 100/30.Top Tip
Dagenham & Redbridge v Tranmere Rovers
Dagenham & Redbridge are 21/10 to beat Tranmere Rovers and claim a third Sky Bet League 2 victory on the bounce. The Daggers have won three and lost six of their nine league home games so far this term, while Rovers can be backed at 5/4 to pick up all three points. The draw is 23/10, with 1-1 the most popular correct score (5/1) and 0-0 available at 17/2. Micky Adams’ Tranmere have found the net twice in three of their last four away games and are 11/4 to score exactly two on Saturday. Over 3.5 goals in the game is also 11/4, while Dagenham are 6/5 with the ‘draw no bet’ concession, a market in which Tranmere are 8/13.
Draw and both teams to score at 100/30.Top Tip:
Exeter City v Carlisle United
Exeter City are 21/20 to bolster their Sky Bet League 2 play-off push with a win over Carlisle United at St James’ Park on Saturday. The Grecians are unbeaten in their last eight league outings and are 2/1 to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 and 13/2 to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2. Carlisle have lost their last two, but scored twice on both occasions and the Cumbrians are 100/30 to strike twice again. Both teams to score is odds-on at 8/11 and over 2.5 goals to be scored in the game – which would have paid off in three of Exeter’s last four – can be backed at 10/11.
Both teams to score at 8/11.Top Tip:
Mansfield Town v Cheltenham Town
Mansfield Town are 7/5 with Football League sponsor Sky Bet ahead of their clash with Cheltenham Town at Field Mill on Saturday. Mansfield were beaten 3-0 at Luton on their last league outing but have won five of their nine league games on home turf and are 3/1 to prevail here by exactly one goal. Cheltenham haven’t tasted success in the League since a 2-1 win at Cambridge in October and can be backed at 15/8 to pick up all three points here. The draw is 23/10, with 1-1 the most popular correct score at 5/1. The Robins emerged 2-0 winners in the corresponding fixture last season and it’s 12/1 for a repeat result.
The draw at 23/10.Top Tip:
Morecambe v Luton Town
Luton Town are 11/10 for away victory as they look to enhance their promotion claims against Morecambe at the Globe Arena on Saturday. The Shrimps, who come into this weekend’s round of games sitting 11th in the Sky Bet League 2 standings, are 12/5 to pick up all three points. It is also 12/5 for the game to end in a draw. The last time these two sides met in Morecambe saw Luton come away with a 2-1 win and it’s 8/1 against a repeat result this weekend. Morecambe beat Bury 1-0 in their last home game and can be backed at 100/30 to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1, with Luton 7/4 to be in front at half-time and 5/2 to score twice in the match.
A 1-1 draw at 5/1Top Tip:
Newport County v Stevenage
Newport sit in the final Sky Bet League 2 play-off place ahead of this weekend’s matches. County are even-money favourites to claim victory at home to Stevenage. The visitors are priced up at 13/5 by the division’s sponsors and the draw can be backed at 5/2. Newport enter this match on the back of a couple of away wins in a row and there have been plenty of goals in their recent contests. Four or more goals have been scored in all five of County’s last five games so there could well be an entertaining afternoon ahead at Rodney Parade. Over 3.5 goals ought to provide an interest at 5/2.
Over 3.5 goals to be scored at 5/2.Top Tip:
Northampton Town v Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth hope to consolidate their current spot in the Sky Bet League 2 play-off places with victory at Northampton on Saturday. Argyle are narrow 17/10 outsiders for the win, Northampton edge favouritism at 8/5 and the draw can be backed at 23/10. Neither side are in the best of form as they prepare for this game. Plymouth are without a win in three matches, while Northampton have only claimed one victory in their last six contests. The top goalscorer betting is led by Argyle striker Reuben Reid at 4/1, with Marc Richards the top Cobblers contender at 5/1.
Marc Richards and Reuben Reid both to score at 9/2.Top Tip:
Oxford United v Bury
Bury could do with three points at Oxford on Saturday to get their season back on track after a five-match winless run. The Shakers have fallen outside the play-off places and are 19/10 outsiders for victory at the Kassam Stadium. Oxford are 7/5 favourites to claim the win and the draw can be backed at 23/10. The Yellows’ last three matches have finished in draws but Michael Appleton’s men are going in the right direction on a five-match unbeaten run. There are co-favourites in the first goalscorer betting with Bury forward Danny Rose and Oxford striker Danny Hylton both available to back at 5/1. Oxford’s Tyrone Barnett though looks like a man to watch out for with three goals in his last two outings.
Tyrone Barnett to score first at 11/2.Top Tip:
Portsmouth v Accrington Stanley
Portsmouth are odds-on favourites at 10/11 to pick up three points at home to Accrington. Stanley can be supported at 3/1 and the draw is priced up at 5/2. Pompey are much better at home than on the road with three wins and a draw claimed from their last four matches at Fratton Park. Andy Awford’s side have lost five matches in a row on their travels. Accrington are without a victory in their previous four away matches and they have a big FA Cup replay ahead of them in midweek as victory over Yeovil will see Stanley host Manchester United in the third round. Both teams have scored in all four of Accrington’s last four games and 5/6 is the price for both teams to net on Saturday.
Both teams to score at 5/6.Top Tip:
Wycombe Wanderers v Southend United
Sky Bet League 2 leaders Wycombe are narrow 8/5 favourites to beat play-off-zone dwellers Southend on Saturday. The Shrimpers can be backed at 17/10 and the draw is available at 23/10. Wycombe have lost their last couple of home games but their away form has seen them remain at the summit of the table with four victories claimed in a row. Southend enter this game on the back of three wins on the spin and they haven’t lost in League 2 since October 21. The first goalscorer betting is fronted by Paul Hayes of Wycombe at 9/2. The shortest-priced Southend contender in the same market is Barry Corr at 6/1.
The draw at 23/10.Top Tip:
York City v AFC Wimbledon
York are 6/5 favourites to pull further clear of the Sky Bet League 2 relegation zone with victory at home to AFC Wimbledon. The Dons are made 23/10 outsiders for the win and the draw can be supported at the same price. York will be keen to take all three points as they are without a home win all season - a run of 11 matches. Wimbledon enter the contest in great spirits after a 1-0 success at Wycombe in the FA Cup booked a clash at home to Liverpool in the third round. Don’t expect much between these sides, so under 2/5 goals could be the shrewdest wager at 4/6.
Top Tip:Under 2.5 goals at 4/6.